How to boost the 4G signal on Xiaomi phone

The problem of poor mobile network reception is familiar to many smartphone owners, and devices from Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO are no exception. When an indicator on the screen shows a single stick or constantly jumps between 3G and 4G, it is not only annoying, but also makes it impossible to use navigation, video communication or streaming video. In densely populated cities, tall buildings and dense buildings are often the cause, and in rural areas, remoteness from the operator’s base stations.

Before you look for complex software solutions or buy external antennas, you need to do a basic diagnosis. Often the problem lies in the banal things: the wrong insert. SIM-A reboot of the device in flight mode helps to reset the current connection to the base station and find a more powerful signal source in range.

In this article, we will look at proven ways to help stabilize the connection. We will address both the hidden engineering menus available on MIUI and HyperOS, and the physical factors that affect the quality of radio waves. Changing the frequency range from 800 MHz to 1800 MHz can instantly increase Internet speed in the area of confident reception. Let's look at each method in detail so that you can choose the best one for your situation.

Diagnostics of the current state of the network

The first step is to understand what we're fighting against: Standard indicators on a smartphone screen give only a general idea of the situation, but do not reveal the technical picture. To get accurate data on signal level (RSSI) and connection quality (SINR), you need to use built-in diagnostics or third-party utilities.

The most informative tool is the engineering menu, which is available through a standard caller. If you enter a special code, you will see the technical parameters in real time. Pay attention to the RSRP value: the closer it is to zero (for example, -80 dBm), the better the signal. Values below -110 dBm indicate an extremely weak reception, in which stable 4G operation is impossible.

For a deeper analysis, you can install applications like Network Cell Info or CellMapper that map the location of cell towers on a map and show you which base station your phone is connected to, which helps you know if you're in a situation where you're standing or a building is in a way, and these apps also show you if the nearest tower is overloaded.

• 📶 RSRP (Reference Signal Received Power – the power level of the received signal, the main indicator of quality.
• 📡 SINR (Signal-to-Interference-plus-Noise Ratio – The ratio of signal to noise, affects the data rate.
• 🏗️ PCI (Physical Cell Identity – cell ID, helps to understand which tower is connected to.
• 🔄 Handover – the process of switching between towers, frequent breaks may indicate problems with this parameter.

Basic settings and resetting parameters

Often, the reception improvement occurs after simply resetting the network settings. In the Android operating system, which runs the MIUI shell, accumulated errors in the communication module can prevent correct operation. Going to flight mode for 10-15 seconds forcibly turns off the radio module, and then turning on it forces it to re-register in the operator's network.

If a quick reset doesn't work, you should check the settings of your preferred network type. Sometimes the phone clings to a weak one. 4G signaling 3G It would be more stable, or vice versa. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Preferred network type. Try switching only temporarily to 4G or, conversely, allow 2G/3G, Check the dynamics of change.

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If you are on the move (train, car), forcing 4G only on can cause frequent communication breaks as the phone will try to hold a far tower instead of switching to a near one.

Another important aspect is the physical condition. SIM-The contacts on the plastic may have oxidized or become contaminated over time. Remove the tray, wipe the chip with dry soft cloth and make sure the card sits tightly in the slot. For old cards that you cut with scissors to the size of Nano-SIM, the risk of damage to the antenna module inside the card is extremely high – in this case, it is better to replace the SIM from the operator.

⚠️ Note: Before resetting your network settings, make sure you know the passwords from the Wi-Fi networks you are connected to. Reset your Wi-Fi, mobile Internet and Bluetooth settings will delete all saved access points and device pairs.

Use of engineering menus and codes

Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones have a powerful developer menu that allows you to control the radio module at a deeper level than is available in the standard interface. If the standard code doesn’t work (the operator can block it), try the code ##6484## or ##3646633## that opens the code. CIT-Menu or Engineering Mode respectively.

In the menu that opens, select "Phone Information" and you'll find the drop-down "Install preferred network type." It's the default mode with auto-switching. Forced mode selection. LTE Only (Only) LTE) Make your phone ignore the towers 2G and 3G, What's in the insecure reception zone 4G may cause complete loss of communication, but in the normal receiving zone, the connection stabilizes.

It is important to understand that LTE Only is not a panacea; in some cases, it blocks incoming calls if your carrier does not have VoLTE (Voice over LTE) configured. If incoming calls are lost after this mode is turned on, return the setup to LTE/TD-SCDMA/GSM or a similar combined version.

Selecting the frequency range (Band Locking)

One of the most effective but challenging techniques is to manually lock frequency bands. Operators use different frequencies: low (Band 20, 800 MHz) penetrate walls well but have low speeds, and high (Band 3, 1800 MHz; Band 7, 2600 MHz) provide high speeds but worse break through obstacles. The phone automatically selects range but often makes mistakes by clinging to a far tower with a low Band 20 instead of a near one with a Band 3.

To manage ranges in the engineering menu, Xiaomi often requires access to advanced settings. Phone Information menus can be a button "Run Ping Test" or drop-down "Set Band". However, on modern versions of Android, access to this functionality through standard codes is often closed. In such cases, users resort to using helper apps such as Force. LTE Only (4G/5G) Google Play, which is used by ADB-team-mates API activate hidden menus.

You have to be careful about experimenting with bands, and if you turn off all the bands your phone is catching in your current location, the connection will be completely lost, and in this case, only rebooting the device, which resets the radio module's temporary settings, will help. It is recommended that you first determine what frequencies your carrier's towers in your area are operating at using coverage maps or analyzer applications.

• 🇪🇺 Band 20 (800 MHz) – the main range for coverage in the city and in buildings.
• 🇪🇺 Band 3 (1800 MHz) – the main range for network capacity in cities and high speed.
• 🇪🇺 Band 7 (2600 MHz) - used to unload the network in crowded places (stadions, shopping centers).
• 🇪🇺 Band 38/40/41 — extra-ranges 4G, Often used by operators to increase throughput.

Physical factors and external amplifiers

No software settings will help if the phone's antenna module is physically locked. Modern Xiaomi smartphones have built-in antennas located around the perimeter of the case. A dense case with a metal plate or magnetic cover can shield the signal, reducing its level by several decibels. Remove the case and check if the signal level changes.

In conditions of very weak signal (for example, in a wooden house in a village or in a basement office), it makes sense to use external solutions. Passive antenna stickers that stick inside the phone case are 99 percent marketing ploys and don't work because modern antennas have complex geometry and coordination. USB-modems with an external antenna to which the phone is connected OTG, or home cell phone repeaters.

⚠️ Note: The use of uncertified repeaters (signal amplifiers) may result in fines from Roskomnadzor, as they may interfere with the operator's base stations.

You also need to look at the location of your smartphone. Metal structures in the walls, metallic-sprayed tinted glass, and even water tanks can significantly weaken radio waves. Sometimes you just have to move half a meter to the side or walk up to the window to increase Internet speeds. In multi-storey buildings, the upper floors are often better received than the lower floors, because of the fewer floors.

Impact of firmware and system updates

Software plays a critical role in modem operation. MIUI and HyperOS updates often come with patches that fix bugs in the radio module drivers. If you have communication problems after the update, there may be a bug in the new version. In this case, it is worth checking the forums (4PDA, XDA) for information about a particular model.

Sometimes it helps to reset the settings. APN (Operators can change network settings, and old settings may conflict with new requirements. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → (Choose. SIM) → Access points (APN). Click the Reset button at the bottom of the screen or create a new access point with the current options that can be found on your operator’s website.

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Regular firmware updates are not only new features, but also bug fixes for the communication module that can directly affect the 4G stability.

In rare cases, the problem can be in poor-quality assembly of a particular instance of the phone (the dump of the antenna plume, the oxidation of contacts after moisture). If none of the software methods did not help, and on other phones in the same location and with the same SIM-card signal is excellent, you may need a diagnosis in the service center.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)